Every birthday deserves to be celebrated. However, as a Long Beach studio photographer, I have found that the sessions families treasure most are not always the most elaborate ones. Sometimes the sweetest idea walks right through the door in the form of a single mint green balloon.
I’m not 100%. Case in point…this out of frame kid toss. LOL.
But, I included it in their gallery, because I think it’s light-hearted and fun. That’s what to expect in your gallery…the perfectly posed and smiling, the images and that make you laugh and everything in between.
When you see photos that aren’t posed, you feel like you’re getting a ‘fly on the wall’ vantage point of the subjects life.
But, how do you achieve that as a photographer? How do you take naturally candid photos when they hired you to be there?
The Best Time to Take Photos at the Beach
There’s always the scheduling debate when it comes time to take photos at the beach. Do you take the photos in the morning or in the evening? Many people would automatically assume sunset because of the beautiful golden lighting. I love sunset lighting. BUT, I think people with kids should always consider doing a morning beach photo session.
The time is conducive to kids’ schedules. Normally kids are fresher in the morning, so getting great photos will be a little easier. Chances are (in Southern California) the beach will be overcast in the morning. I love overcast lighting because it acts as a giant soft box for the sun.
The light is naturally diffused, so the color is very evening. While sunset lighting has contrast and is very dramatic, I think that best suits an engagement or maternity photo session.
Of course, any time you take photos at the beach, you have a beautiful scene behind you. But, IF YOU HAVE KIDS, consider the morning at the beach!
The secret to photographing toddlers isn’t in a fast shutter speed. It’s not about your ISO or what type of lens you have. The secret to getting the best photos of a wiggly and FAST toddler is to work with them instead of against them.
I learned a long time ago that you cannot make a baby, toddler or child do something they don’t want to do during a photo session. I learned that you must make your idea their idea and run with it. Sometimes this shows up in the form of manipulating the situation. If I see a little one that enjoys pushing the limits, I might tell them…you better not smile at me. Or I’m going to come get you!
And if a toddler just want to move, we MOVE. I will have parents swing them until I count down to a pause so I can take the photo. I will have one parent chase them into the arms of another parent.
Whatever your method, just remember to make all the energy work to your advantage. Making a wiggly toddler sit still is a fool’s errand. Use all that energy to play hide and seek, so you get the biggest most authentic smile when you find them.
And for more fast and furious toddlers, check out this guy’s session at the beach.
I see lots of one year photo session ideas…but the most recent one I photographed was just too cute. I had to share it with you! Instead of doing a cake smash, this mom put together a variety of edible finger paints. I love that moms are more conscious when it comes to what they are giving their children to eat. Not that I’m against a cake smash. If there’s a time to give your baby sugar, I think that’s the time!
This one year old’s favorite food is Fage yogurt. So, her mom used the yogurt to create finger paints. She put them in cute containers and dyed them with natural dye. We used a white piece backdrop paper for the floor. Hello, easy clean up! I got set to go and mom put her down. It was non-stop fun for a good 10 minutes! And I love the way the photos turned out.
I love summer-y shoots like these! They are so timeless and I think the kids will have fond memories of playing on boats and in the summer.
I just finished up all my sessions for Mother’s Day. Even though, this photo obviously doesn’t include a mother, I wanted to share it. I love those impromptu moments where you’re not planning on shooting something, but you just look over and BAM, perfect moment. I love hands-on dads too. They make a shoot fun!
Also, Budapest. Are you into this song? I’ve been listening to it while I edit. I actually had to look up the lyrics. You know those songs you sing along to and then realize you’re not singing actual words at certain points. If you haven’t heard it yet, listen here.
Is anyone else feeling like, Summer…are you here yet??
Have you looked around lately? Have you noticed how green everything is!? The fact that we finally got some rain in Southern California is making it even more beautiful than normal. It’s the perfect time to do Spring mini-sessions.
I’m setting up 2 different locations…one in Orange County (Trabuco Canyon to be exact) and one in Los Angeles (Temescal Canyon specifically). Both are green and gorgeous right now.
Here’s the details…it’s $100 session fee to hold your spot. The sessions are about 20 minutes with a little buffer time in between clients. Then you’ll pay an additional flat rate for all your digital images, depending if it’s just the kids or the whole family. Click here for all the details.
March 28 4:30, 5:00, 5:30 6:00 Trabuco Canyon
March 29 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 Temescal Canyon
Kristin Eldridge holds Spring Mini-Sessions in Orange County and Los Angeles.